Dockboards



May 9 c. E. LARSON 3, ,343

DOCKBOARDS Filed June 24. 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ClagionE.Larson ATTORNEYS y 1965 c. E. LARSON 3,182,343

DOCKBOARDS Filed June 24, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Mm 4 Mason;

ATTORNEYS nocxsoama's Filed June 24, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 B; M ammATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,182,343 DOKBQARDS Clayton E. Larson,Brooklyn, N.Y., assignor to White Metal Rolling & Stamping (Iorporation,Brooklyn, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed June 24, 1960, Ser. No.38,560

3 Claims. (Cl. 14-72) This invention relates to portable dockboards orbridges and more particularly, to docleboards of the type used to bridgea gap between two loading areas to facilitate movement of goods from onesuch area to the other.

In the handling of freight, it is frequently necessary totransferextremely heavy loads between such stationary loading areas as loadingplatforms, docks or wharfs, and transporting vehicles such as freighttrains, trucks, ships or aircraft. It is commonly the practice when thisproblem is encountered to use portable dockboards or bridges of the typeto which this invention relates so that a temporary but continuousloading surface is provided between the tWo areas, whether suchcontinuity of loading surface be for manually carrying articles offreight or for permitting the use of dollies, lift trucks or othervehicular means. Prior to this invention, such dockboards have beenconstructed by providing a heavy gage metal plate with a reinforcingsu'bstructurein order to achieve the necessary resistance to bending andother stresses developed by the extremely heavy loads often incurred.These structures have been not only exceedingly heavy so as to require,in many instances, the use of a lifting device or specially made vehicleto handle them properly, but also, the sub-structures increase theoverall size of the dockboard to the point where difiiculty has beenencountered in using them in tight spaces to say nothing of the storageproblems encountered when they are not in use. Moreover, after continueduse, the unsupported portions of the metal plate decking become bent ordeformed so that an uneven or irregular surface develops. Since theplate is a unitary piece of metal, it is especially difiicult, if notimpossible to repair. As a result, a new plate and thus practicallycomplete reconstruction of the doclcboard is required to restore it toits original condition.

Other problems have been encountered with dockboards of the type towhich this invention relates, particularly by suppliers, because of thelack of a sutficiently versatile design to satisfy all job situations.For example, under certain conditions it may be desirable to use adockboa-rd equipped with curbs while in other conditions, curbs may notbe wanted. Or, some job requirements may call for a dockboard toe or endsection having par ticular characteristics while other job situationsmay require differently shaped toe sections. Still further, flared ortapered dockboards may be desirable in some circumstances whilerectangular shapes may be desirable in others. In the past, suppliershave had to stock many different types of dockboards to meet the damandsof job situations or be prepared to fabricate special designs fromavail-able material. This, of course, required much time and expenseand, in many instances, resulted in the use of make-shift dockboardsimproperly suited for the specific job situation encountered.

Accordingly, a principal object of this invention is to provide a newand unique portable dockboard for bridging the gap between two loadingareas by which the problems heretofore encountered are substantiallyovercome.

Another object of this invention is theprovision of a doclqboardconstruction which makes possible the use of extruded metal parts,thereby facilitating the use of such light metals as magnesium, aluminumor alloys incorarenas Patented May 11, l$fi5 porating either one of orboth of these and other light metals.

A further object of this invention is that of providing a dockboard ofthe type referred to fabricated from a plurality of independent parts,any one of which may be removed if damaged and a new one inserted inplace of the worn or damaged part.

Another object of this invention is to provide a dockboard constructionwhich incorporates structural elements capable of being assembled inmany different ways so as to enable the proper design for each jobsituation with a minimum of additional expense.

A further object of this invention is that of providing a dockboard ofthe referred type which is not only light in weight but also which isprovided with means to greatly facilitate easy handling without the needof special equip ment.

Another object of this invention is that of providing a dockboard of thetype aforementioned which may be firmly anchored in the gap betweenloading areas by extremely strong, safe and easily adjusted means.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a dockboardconstruction which may be equipped with many diverse types of endsections without extensive modification of basic component parts toeconomically and effectively satisfy practically all job requirements.-

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a dockboardof the type referred to which is especially suitable for joining aplurality of sections to meet specific job requirements withoutextensive modifications and re sulting expenses.

Further objects and further scope of applicabiilty of the presentinvention will be apparent from the detailed description givenhereinafter. It should be understood, however, that the detaileddescription, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, isgiven by Way of illustration only, since it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

In general, the aforementioned objects are accomplished by constructinga dockboard of the type referred to in a manner such, that a pluralityof transverse, integrally stiffened flooring members are arranged inside by side relationship and suspended between a pair of generallylongitudinally extending side rails to form a floor or deck. The siderails are of constant cross-sectional configuration and formed having apair of spaced flanges on one side for reception of the ends of theflooring members and having at their outer sides upper and lower angularflanges which define an outwardly facing undercut section to facilitatethe mounting of slidable spacers or stop members as well as to providehand-gripping means along the entire length of the dockboard whether itbe in an upright or an inverted position. The flooring is provided witha corrugated or grooved traction surface and those sections of flooringin the central portion of' erally it is feathered to provide atransition between the deck and the loading areas between which thedockboard is used. Further, the depending stop members are equipped withspring biased latch pins registrable with spaced holes or apertures inthe side rails to provide for positive positioning of the stop membersat various points over the length of the dockboard.

A more complete understanding of the new and im- 7 proved portabledockboard of this invention and its use side rails and in side .by siderelationship.

-the flooring members 30. The webs 36 FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional viewtaken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4- is a perspective view of a modified form of the the dockboard;P16. 5 'is a fragmentaryperspective view showing another modification ofthe invention; 7 FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing stillanother modification of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view'similar to FIG. 2 butshowing the docirboard equipped with a modified toesection; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross sectional view showing still anothermodified form of toe section.

As shown in the drawings, the dockboard. of this.

invention is provided with a pair of spaced longitudinally extendingside rails generally designated by the numeral 10, a floor or deck 12and a plurality of spacers or stop members 14- depending from theexteriorof the side rails in a manner which will be more fully describedhereinafter.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the cross section of the side 'rails ltlincludes a web portion 16' on which is formed.

integrally a pair of inwardly extending, upper and lower flange portions13 and 2% respectively. The outboard side of the side rail cross sectionincludes a lower outwardly extending flange portion 22 generallyco-extensive with the portion 20 and terminating at its outer end in. anupwardly extending wall portion 24'. In similar fashion, a flangeportion 26 extends outwardly from the upper edge of the 'web 16 andterminatesina downwardly extending wall portion 28. In this manner, theoutboard cross section of the side rails is generally undercut orG-shaped. This construction not only provides an extremely strong beamsection highly resistant to bending and torsion stresses but also thewail portions 24 and 23 establish hand grips extending over the fulllength of the dockboard, thereby greatly facilitating the handling ofthe dockboard whether it be upright or in an inverted condition. Inaddition, this configuration provides effective ways in which the stopmembers may be slidably mounted and facilitates joining two side railsections .as will be more fully understood from the description below.

The deck 12 is formed by'a plurality of individual flooring members 36having a grooved or generally corrugated tread 31 and extendingtransversely between the The flooring members 30 at the central portionof the dockboard are of generally rectangular cross section and formedhaving a centrally depending rib 32, which terminates at its lower endin a flange portion 34. Likewise, a downwardly extending rib Cid havingan rected flange portion38 is formed along each. side of are providedwith alternating tongues and grooves 40 and 42 respectively to establishany interlock between the individual members 30, thereby enhancing theload carrying oapacity of the, deck when assembled. As can'be seen fromFIGS. 2 and .3 of these drawings, the flooring mem-y bers 30 extendwithin the inwardly extending flanges 18 44. It will be understood,however, that in place of the rivets, 44, other means such as bolts,welds or-pins could be used to secure the flooring; members to the siderails.

.the centrally disposed flooring members 30, nofurther discussionthereof is deemed necessary. The. toe mern-z inwardly di-' and 20 on theside rail and are secured there by rivets.

bers 46, however, differ in that they are feathered out at their leadingedge 50. At the mid portion ofthe toe member 46is a downwardly andinwardly extending rib 52, adapted to engage the outer end of each ofthe lower inwardly projecting flanges. 26 on the side rails 10. Tosecure the central portion of the toe members 46in like fashion, anauxiliary reinforcing plate 54 is' atlixedYto the lower portion oftheramp member 48 aswell as to the outwardmost flange 38 of the firstmid-section flooring .member suchas by rivets56. (This plate memberabuts against the rib 52 on the toe member and is positiveiy aflixedthereto by rivets 58. Additionally, a tongue and groove joint 60 isestablished between the inner edge of the toe member and the outer edgeof the ramp mem- 1 her 48. Because the upper limits of both=the toemember ddand the ramp member-48 do .not completely fill the spacebetween the side rail inboard 'flanges .18 and 20, a filler member. 62suitably shaped to theprofileestablished by the upper surface of the endsection formed by both these members is inserted under the upper. flange18. In this manner, a completely feathered end section is positively andrigidly affixed to. the 'e'nd of the deck. Moreover, itwill be notedthat the feathered edge of the toe member 46, depends dowuwardlyutoapoint which is equal to or slightly lower than the lowermost portion ofthe dockboard, excepting of course the stop members 14- To effectivelyanchor the dockboard' between the two loading areas spanned, the spacersor stop members 14 are adjustably secured on the side rails '16 andextend downwardly past the lowermost or load sustaining ex: tremities ofthe dockboard deck. Each of the stop members 14 is preferably formedhaving. a channel section 64 i and 'a mounting member 66 weldedybolted,riveted or otherwise suitably affixed to the interior surface of thechannel'member. The mounting member 55, as may be best seen in FIG. 3 isof a cross section including a web portion 68 and an upper and lowerfiange'portions 743 which are shaped to complement the interior orundercut configuration of the outboard section of the side rails itsinward end in adownwardly extending flange 74. To

secure the stop members 14 longitudinally ofwthe side rails and thus thedockborardQheaded latch-pins 76 ex-' tend through holes 77, 7S and 79 inthe stop member channel, mounting member and mounting member flange 74respectively.- The pins 76. are' formed having an enlarged annularshoulder 80 forming an abutment for a spring 82 engaging at its otherend, the interior surface of the mounting memberweb 68. Thus, the pin 76is urged inwardly under the bias of the spring 82. To effectv thefactual latching of the stop members 14 to the side rails 10, the siderailweb 16 is provided with a plurality of holes 84 registrable with theholes 77, 78 and 79 so that the stop members may be positioned atanypoint along the dockboardr V To strengthen theends of the side railsandas well provide a positive stop againstaccidentally removing the stopmembers14 'com'pletelyifrom theside nails Ilka solid bar 86 is securedto the; web 16 0f the side rails by inforces the'G-shaped outboardsection of the side rails substantially as ,shownIin FIG."1. Since-thebolts 86 serve to secure the bar in place, they maybe easily re Afterthe ends of the dockboard are satisfactorily supported on each of theloading areas, the headed pin 76 in the stop members 14 are displacedoutwardly so as to permit sliding of these members along the side rails10. When the stop members engage the edges of the respective loadingareas, the pins are released to engage ho1es84 in the side rail webs 16,thereby firmly and positively anchoring the stop members. Since theloading areas are immovable, the abutment of the stop members 14 againstthe edges of these loading areas prevents displacement of the dockboardin the direction of either loading area so that it cannot heaccidentally slid ofl.

A modified form of the dockboard of this invention is shown in FIG. 4 ofthe drawings. In this modification, the construction of the side rails10, the stop members 14 as well as the cross section of the memberswhich make up the flooring 12 are substantially the same as that shownin FIGS. 1 to 3. The principal difference of the modification lies inthe flaring of the side rails in a manner such that the dockboard iswider at one end than at the other. Flared dockboards of this type areparticularly desirable for use in spanning the gap between railroad carsor other vehicles and loading platforms, or in other situations where alimited amount of breadth is permitted on one of the loading areas whilean unlimited amount of breadth is permitted on the other. Furthermore,since the basic component parts of this dockboard remain unchanged fromthose used in the dockboard illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, except for thelength of the flooring members and the angle at which they are cut, itis simple matter for a supplier to provide such a flared dockboard to auser.

Under some circumstances where the loading areas between which thedockboard is situated are at different elevations, thereby requiring thedoclqboard to be inclined, it is desirable to provide what is known inthe art as a crowned dockboard in order to assure engagement of thedoclsboa-rd ends with the floors of their respective loading areas. Amodification of this invention to provide such a crowned dockboar-d isillustrated in FIG. 5 0f the drawings. As shown, the same componentparts are used except that in this instance the side rails are formed intwo sections, 92 and 94 respectively. The sections are joined by a plate96 positioned in the undercut section established by the flanges 22 and26. To restrain the sections 92 and 94 from longitudinal movement withrespect to one another, the plate 96 is riveted to the Web 16 of thesections 92 and 94 by rivets 98, though other suitable means such asbolts, welds or the like may be used. Thus it will be seen that becauseof the generally undercut outboard side of the side rail 10, such acrowned dock-board may be prepared without requiring any more than theplate 96 by which the sections 92 and 94 may be joined.

A further example of how the dockboard of this invention may be modifiedto adapt to a different job situation is illustrated in FIG. 6 of thedrawings. The modification shown in FIG. 6 is adapted to be used inloading situations where the gap betwen t-Wo loading areas is unusuallylong and requires at least two lengths of dockboard. When this isrequired, the filler bars 86 are removed as aforementioned and a joiningplate 1% is inserted within the C-shaped outboard side of each of theside rail sections being joined. As shown in FIG. 6, the plate 100 isformed having upper and lower portions of reduced thickness 102 (onlythe upper one being shown) to be received within the upper and lowerflange portions of the side rail in a manner very similar to the stopmembers 14 as shown in FIG. 3. When in place, the plate 160 is retainedagainst longitudinal movement with respect to the side rail sections 10by pins 103 engaging the holes 84 in each of these sections thus alsopreventing the longitudinal movement thereof. To support the centralportion of the span comprising the two dockboards a pier arrangement iseffected by a channel member 104 suitably afiixed to the plate such asby a bolt 166, the channel member 104 slidingly receiving a tubular post108 which in turn may be locked against movement with respect to thechannel 104 by a bolt 110. The pier is braced sulficiently by a bracemember 11 2 extend-ing from the bottom of the pier back to one of thedockboards as will be understood by those familiar in the art.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, there are shown modified forms of end sect-ions whichmay be used with the dockboard of this invention. The modifications'hownin FIG. 7 is adapted for use in job situations where there isinsufiicient space for effective use of the adjustable stops 14. Thus,the modified toe member 114 is formed having a feathered portion 116located substantially midway between the fianges 18 and 2t and adepending wall 118 formed having "a horizontal flange 120. The deck sideof the toe member 114 is formed having a depending rib 122 formed with ahorizontally projecting flange 124 and provided with a tongue and groovecross section for junction with the flooring section 30 as describedabove. Thus, in this modification the forward face of the wall 118 willserve to prevent movement of the dockboard toward the loading area onwhich the feathered portion 116 rests. Also, a reinforcing strap 126 maybe applied to the lower central edge of the end section and fastened inplace such as by rivets 128.

The modified end section illustrated in FIG. 8 is adapted particularlyto job situations where the dockboard must be placed at a substantialincline with respect to a horizontal loading area. In this instance, atoe member 130 is formed such that the featherededge thereof is adjacentand affixed to the flange 18 by rivets 132. A transition member 134 alsoaflixed to the flange 13 such as by rivets 136 is disposed between thedockboard side of the toe section 130 and the central floor sections 30.In this embodiment, the side rail web is cut on a bias along line 138 toestablish, as will be understood by those familiar in the art, anincreased bearing area is provided at the lower end of an inclineddockbo-ard.

In view of the foregoing description, it will be understood by thosefamiliar in this art that by this invention an extremely light, safe andversatile dockboard is provided. Because of the cross sectionalconfiguration of the side rails 10, a highly effective means is providedfor supporting the flooring members as well as the various types of endsections indicated. Further, since the floor retaining flanges 18 and 2tdefine a symmetrical cross section about a line disposed mid-waytherebetween, it is possible to invert the side rails in such a mannerthat no cunb is provided which under some circumstances is desirable. Itwill be appreciated, of course, that the full load carrying capacity ofthe side rails remains available.

The generally undercut outboard side of the side rails 10, as has beendemonstrated, lends further versatility to the dockboard of thisinvention by enabling easy connection of two or more side rail sections.Because of these features, a supplier is required to maintain in stock,varying lengths of only a small number of diiferent basic shapes.Moreover, because all of the component parts are extruded or formed fromsuch light metals as magnesium, aluminum, or alloys incorporating eitherone or both of these and other light metals, the problem of cuttingvarious length pieces from which to enable various modifications of thebasic component sections is greatly reduced because metals of this typeare easily sawed.

In addition, the provision of such safety features as the high curbprovided by the side rails extending above the deck, the non-slipcorrugated deck surface, the posit-ive manner in which the spacer stopmembers are affixed to the side rails makes the dockboard of thisinvention highly desirable for the use intended. Also, the easilyoperated latch pin arrangement for locking the stop members with respectto the side rails as well as the full length hand'grips afforded by theoutboard cross-sectional configuration of the side rails makes thedockboard construction of this invention extremely easy to handle.

foregoing description is illustrative only and that the true spirit andscope of the present invention is to be established by the appendingclaims.

I claim: 1. A dockboard of the type described including: (A) a deck, v(B). spaced side rails substantially as long as the length of saiddeck'suppo'rting said deck, said side rails each including a webandupper and loweroutwardly extending: flange portions terminating indownwardly and upwardly extending portions respectively to define anoutwardly directed undercut face, E (C) each of said ti-ons,

side rails comprising at least two sec- (D) means for joining the saidsections including a (D) a substantial portion of said web extendingabove the top surface of said deck providing side barriers ior saiddeck,

(E) upper and lower flange portions on said side rails extendingoutwardly from said webs,

(F) said upper flange portion terminating in a downwardly extendingflange and said lower flange portion terminating in anupwardly extendingflange defining an outwardly directed undercut section,

(G) said side rails each including a pair of inwardly directed upper andlower spaced flanges,"

(H) said deck including a plurality of flooring members extendingbetween said side rails and anchored between said inwardly directedupper and! lower spaced flanges, v

(I) a plurality of depending stop rnernbers adjustably V secured to saidside rails comprising n p (l a mounting portion complementary at leastin part to said undercut section and slideably carried therein, and I(K) lock means for adjustahly securing said stop members at variouspositions along said side rails. V 3. A dockboard as claimed in claim 2in which said flooring members are of increasing length from one end ofthe dockboard to the other and said side rails are correspondinglyflared providing a deck of greater width at one 'end than at the other.

References Jilted by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,144,836 6/15Green 14-72 1,970,979 8/34 Robb 141 2,302,586 11/42 Thelen 94-30 X2,329,855 9/43 Rydnerj 14-72 2,436,467 2/48 Winter 14-71 X 2,443,8016/48 Prince 94-30 2,452,222 10/48 Bryson' 14 -72 2,452,289 10/48 .Bryson14-72 2,521,349 9/50 Diamond 14-72 2,760,216 8/56 Curt-is 14-72 JACOB L.NACKENOFF, Primary Examiner.

1. A DOCKBOARD OF THE TYPE DESCRIBED INCLUDING: (A) A DECK, (B) SPACEDSIDE RAILS SUBSTANTIALLY AS LONG AS THE LENGTH OF SAID DECK SUPPORTINGSAID DECK, SAID SIDE RAILS EACH INCLUDING A WEB AND UPPER AND LOWEROUTWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGE PORTIONS TERMINATING IN DOWNWARDLY ANDUPWARDLY EXTENDING PORTIONS RESPECTIVELY TO DEFINE AN OUTWARDLY DIRECTEDUNDERCUT FACE, (C) EACH OF SAID SIDE RAILS COMPRISING AT LEAST TWOSECTIONS, (D) MEANS FOR JOINING THE SAID SECTIONS INCLUDING A PLATEPOSITIONED WITHIN SAID UNDERCUT FACE AND FIXED TO SAID SIDE RAIL WEB,AND (E) A SUPPORTING PIER CARRIER BY SAID PLATE.